A/N: Well here is chapter 3! I have made this longer than my other chapters, because I have been told that my chapters are to short! So, thank you for all the reviews! But I will need more before I do chapter 4! Hope you like it and enjoy! Don't forget to R&R!
Disclaimer: I own nothing! Not any of the characters, (except Brin and John Ross), Tortall etc, etc. So don't sue! Also anyone who has had any of the following experiences, I did not know! Honest! ^_^
Thanks: Well thank all you who sent in a review! Also thanks to Jae who help me get my idea out for this!
By earthfire
The Wrath of Chaos
Chapter 3
It had been two long days since Brin found out her three guests were from Tortall. Most of that time Brin had used to try and help Alanna recover from the flu. It had taken some time as Alanna still did not have her Gift, but she still had recovered quicker than most. Even though Alanna was very tired that did nothing to lighten her temper. Brin had been very busy, trying to take care of Alanna, and then Numair and Roald. She had to find them clothes, so they did not stick out so much. Their clothes were a lot different from what we usually wear. Fortunately Brin still had most of her fathers and brothers things so she had something for them to wear. It was a little awkward for Numair, as he was much taller than Brin's father, so the trousers she had found for him were a little too short. Alanna had briefly woken up at this point, so when she saw Numair in the trousers that came up to just above the ankle, she nearly fell off the sofa, because she was laughing so hard.
They all had an interesting experience. Brin's guests especially. Everything in this world was new to them. One evening Brin did not know what to cook for dinner. She was extremely tired so she just ordered a take out. Pizza. Numair, Roald and Alanna had never had pizza. They were fascinated. Alanna and Roald were not used to the messiness (is that even a word?) of pizza, so they made a terrible mess everywhere! Not just on themselves, but all over the table and most of the floor as well.
Over all it was an enjoyable time. Brin would be sorry to see them go, because do home they must. After all what would Tortall do with out the King's Champion, the crown prince to the throne and the greatest mage in Tortall?
It was these dismal thoughts that brought Brin outside. As she stepped out the door, she felt the cool, and refreshing wind on her face and neck. She loved being outside. She felt as if she could breathe more easily than in that stuffy house. She turned to look at the house one more time before she set off down the familiar driveway.
It was just coming up to sunset. Brin could see the last evening rays of the sun sink down below the horizon. It was a beautiful and enchanting evening. The clouds were still pink and gold from the departure of the sun. The air was fresh, but not cold. The sky was a rainbow of colours. Where the sun had just disappeared, it was a vibrant red colour, which turned to pink the higher you went up. Then it was a light purple that blended into the normal blue of the sky. It was getting darker by the minute, so Brin hurried along the path. As Brin gazed around her she saw all the sites, which she had grown up knowing. With a sigh, Brin turned round and started back. Everyone would wonder where she had gone.
As she neared her door, Brin saw something move by her door. Brin frowned. It was not big, but she had defiantly seen something. Suddenly Brin smiled and shook her head. What was she thinking? It was probably one of the neighbour's cats that had climbed over the low wall surrounding her house. She started towards the door again. When she got there, a cat was indeed sitting by her front door. Smiling Brin reached out to pick the cat up, to see if there was a collar that identified it with a name or an address as to where it belonged. As she picked up the cat and turned it towards her, she nearly dropped the poor creature. As Brin meet the eyes of the cat with her own she gave a small gasp. (Anyone knows what is going on?!! ^_^)
The cat had purple eyes! How is this possible? Brin thought to herself. Suddenly she had an idea. The cat had contact lenses on! Wait! Cats don't wear contacts! Then she had a more logical explanation. Hesitantly and quietly as she could (as she did not want anyone to hear her talking to a cat!).
"Are you by any chance Faithful?" Brin asked thoughtfully.
"Meow, you just happen to be right there." Faithful answered. "Are one of my friends with you? She should be with two of her friends, if I am not mistaken, and I am not usually. Meow"
Brin sighed heavily; this defiantly meant that they were going home.
"As a matter of fact, I am. I will ask how you are here, but that can wait. Lets go inside and find out where the others have got to."
As Brin opened the door with out making a sound, and when into the dinning room, where everyone was sitting. All of them turned their heads to look at her. As soon as Alanna caught sight of Faithful, she jumped to her feet and ran over to Brin and seized Faithful in her arms, squealing like she was five again. She was very happy to see Faithful again.
"Faithful! I can't believe it's you! I thought you were dead! What are you doing here?" Alanna said as calmly as she could, which worked out as a high-pitched voice.
"You should know that I couldn't die. As for your last question, I am here to tell you that Goddess and everyone at the palace is trying to bring you home." Faithful answered, as he started to wash himself.
Alanna yelled again and danced around the table happily. Then she remembered Brin and looked at her sadly.
"I wish you could come with us." Alanna whispered.
"She cannot. You know that very well Alanna. Her place is here. It is disaster that she knows about Tortall as it is!" Faithful grumbled, but did not stop trying to make himself clean. Alanna glared as him.
Brin tried to smile, but faltered. "I would love to come with you Alanna. It would be fun to meet everyone, but Faithful is right." Brin admitted, none to cheerfully.
Suddenly Numair smiled. "Well then. There is nothing we can do about this, for the time being. So lets enjoy our time together." Alanna smiled sadly. She would miss Brin when she would have to go; they had become as close as sisters. But as Numair said there is nothing I can do about it, Alanna thought to her self.
Brin when to the cupboards took out some glasses and some drinks, including milk for Faithful. She then sat down to enjoy the rest of the evening, with her newfound friends.
The next morning
It was coming up to 12:30am. Everyone (Alanna, Brin, Numair and Roald - I am tired of listing all their names) had just woken up. They had all gone to bed in the early hours of that morning after a long discussion, so they were all still tired and most of them were still a bit grumpy. Well Alanna was a bit grumpier than the rest of them; she was after all not a morning person.
They where in the kitchen, and were in the middle of healthy breakfast of pancakes with maple syrup. They all loved Brin's marvellous cooking expertise.
When suddenly there was a swift knock at the door. They all looked up. Brin sighed and sank down lower into her wooded chair. Seeing this Numair grinned at her and rose from his chair to see who was at the door.
When Numair opened the door, there was a pitiful man standing outside, he looked like he had drunk many bottles of vodka.
Numair peered down at the man. He did not like the look of the man, and would have shut the door in his face, but he was curious to what the man wanted.
The man outside looked at Numair with immediate dislike. What was this man doing in Brin's house?
"Good morning good sir. What can I do for you?" Numair replied politely.
"Yeah, there's something you can do for me. Get Brin out here now! I need to speak to her." Said the man glaring up at Numair.
What does this man want with Brin? Numair thought suspiciously. "May I ask who you are?" Numair said, trying not to lose his temper.
"Not that it's any business of yours. But I will tell you any way. I am John Ross, Brin's boyfriend!" John replied smugly.
"Wait just one moment." With that Numair closed the door in John's face.
Numair looked grim as he walked back into the kitchen. He could not help but have the feeling that all this would cause trouble.
Brin saw Numair's face and asked, "Is there any thing wrong?"
"There is a gentleman waiting outside for you." Numair spat out the word, he did not think Brin should socialise with people like that.
"What man?" Brin asked in confusion. She had not seen Numair upset like this.
"He said he was called John, and that he was your boyfriend." Numair said hesitantly.
"WHAT!!" Brin screamed. "He is NOT my boyfriend! He is my ex, I dumped him, when he started to drink!" With that Brin stormed outside and slammed the door.
Alanna looked uncomfortably at Numair and Roald. They could hear a lot of yelling and swearing. It seemed as if they were having a heated argument. After a few minutes of this there was a loud bang. They all instantly looked at the door. Which was where the sound came from; there was now silence. Then there was the sound of a car driving off.
"Maybe we should see how Brin is? You know, see if she's ok?" Alanna asked. Suddenly Faithful leaped up from the chair he was lazing on, and rushed to the door and started pawing at it. Alanna and Numair frowned.
"What is it Faithful?" Roald asked.
"Open the door! NOW!" Faithful yelled in their minds. Now Alanna was worried. She had never heard Faithful sound this urgent. Alanna rushed to the door and yanked it open.
There was the worst sight, she had seen in a long time. Brin was slumped against the side of the house, lying in a pool of was appeared to be her own blood. It was a mess. There was blood everywhere. On the ground, but most of it was on Brin. Her once white t-shirt was covered in blood. Alanna just stared in horror. Numair and Roald then pushed through the door, to see why Alanna had stopped dead. Now they knew why.
"NO, NO, NOOOO!" Alanna screamed. Then miraculously, she appeared to regain some control of herself. She yelled orders to Numair to get a cloth to stop the blood flow. Alanna quickly crouched down by Brin and held her head in her lap.
"I can't believe it. He shot me." Brin managed to whisper.
"Hush now" Alanna whispered back. Her voice was starting to break. Just then they heard Numair running back, but as he approached the door, he disappeared. Roald looked at Alanna in confusion, then he too vanished. Alanna started to sob, she only wished she had her Gift! She felt Brin's head go limp in her arms, and Alanna cried harder.
Suddenly she felt a lightheaded sensation. Then before she knew it she her vision blurred. When her vision refocused, she was in the Great Hall! There was Numair shouting orders to get a healer. There was George, Thom, Kally, Jon, Thayet, Raoul, Gary, Daine, Kel, Neal, and there was the Great Mother Goddess. She smiled at Alanna, before she vanished.
It was then that she realised the Brin was with her! Faithful was there too! He was pawing at Brin. Then his head came up, as though he was listening to somebody. Then he turned to Alanna, and her a quick Meow and went after the Goddess. Back to the Divine Realms, I guess.
Then she saw the healers running forward, to take care of Brin. Alanna's arms tightened around Brin, then relaxed as the healers took Brin out of her arms.
"She is going to be ok. She is in good hands now." She knew that voice! It was George! He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up, and followed the healers.
"Looks like you had some adventure." He whispered to her.
"That I did. That I did." She managed to whisper back before she fainted into his arms.
The next morning
Brin opened eyes, and gazed around her. She was in a white room, with empty beds around her. She had never seen this room before and did not know where she was. All she knew was that she had a throbbing pain in her side. Then all her memories came rushing back with such a force that she gasped. Brin could not remember exactly what had happened, it was still a bit blurry. But she did clearly remember John, and when he had shot her, just because she had refused to go back out with him! Men!
Brin tried to sit up, but then pain in her side (where the bullet had pierced her flesh) doubled. It was as painful as being stabbed with a thousand burning knives. This sudden pain caused her to cry out.
Then a man with green eyes came rushing in so see what was wrong. He frowned when he saw how much pain she was in. Then calmly said, "Now we can't have, this can we?" Then he gentle pressed his cool fingers to her side. His had flared green and the pain immediately vanished.
Brin looked at him, with gratitude in her eyes. He just smiled and said, "I suppose I should introduce myself. I am Duke Baird of Queenscove, chief of Tortall's healers."
Brin smiled back and replied, "Please to meet you, your Grace (Brin remembered the proper term for a Duke). My name's Brin."
"I am honoured to meet you Lady." He said charmingly.
"Please call me Brin. Everyone else does."
"Then I must insist that you call me Baird." He said, and gave a quick and graceful bow. Brin just giggled, she had never had anyone bow to her before!
When the door on Brin's right flew open and in charged a group of people.
Baird smiled again and looked down at her. "I thought I would take the opportunity to inform your friends that you were awake."
He was right. There was a distressed looking Alanna, a worried Numair and a cheerful looking Roald. There were also other people there who she did not know, but could guess the names to.
"Brin, I am so glad you are awake!" Alanna said running over to Brin's bad ant throwing her arms around her. " We were all really worried. You lost so much blood! We were not sure if you would make it." Brin smile at Alanna concern. Brin yawned and stretched her arms. This action caused more pain for Brin, and as pain shot down her side she cried out. Alanna was there. She put her hand on Brin's side and a purple haze surrounded her side. The pain was gone, and Brin felt that it wound not come back. Brin grinned at Alanna and said, "I see that you have your Gift back." Alanna smiled. "Yes, as soon as we got back and had some rest we had our Gifts back."
Numair stepped forwards and said, "Perhaps we should introduce the rest of our company?" With a nod from Alanna he carried on to introduce Daine, Kel, Neal, Cleon, Kally, Thayet and of course Jon. When Brin saw Jon, she knew what the books were talking about. Jo was he most handsome man she had ever seen.
Just then Baird interrupted her thoughts. "Well now that is over with, I think it would be best for Brin if you all left so she can have some more sleep." The Duke made it more of a command than a question. Reluctantly they all left. Obviously they all had some questions to ask.
Brin sighed and went down deeper into the blankets, and fell into a deep and comfortable sleep.
A few days later
Brin had fully recovered from her ordeal of crossing over to Tortall. She had slept all of the next day and part of the day after. She was literary exhausted.
Everyone had been busy while she slept. Alanna had felt that Brin should not have to go through hours of questions, as to what had actually happened. Numair, Alanna and Roald handled all the queries, of Jon, the other and a few of the mages who happened to know. Jon had done well; the whole thing was kept secret.
As well as filling in Jon and the others of what had happened while they were away, Jon told them of what had happened in Tortall after they disappeared, and how they managed to get them back.
Kally had been forgiven as; Jon could sense (with his Gift) that Kally had been used to read the book. So it was forgotten, and they took the anger out at the book.
They had locked it away and put the most powerful spells they knew. Which wasn't much with out Numair.
Then, when no one could find out where Alanna and the others had gone. Daine was asked to speak with her mother and father, who would then in turn speak to the Greater Gods on their behalf. The Great Mother Goddess and Mithros had agreed to do all they could. After all they could not lose one of the few Chosen of the Goddess.
So the Great Mother Goddess had come to the palace (in secret, after all what would the other mortals do if they saw the Goddess?), to see what could be done. The Goddess worked with a stunned King Jon and Daine and some of the other better mages, to find out how to bring back the three missing persons. None of them knew a sure way to bring them all back safe, even thought they knew where they were. After all there are some things handy about being a Goddess.
The Goddess; who had a link to Alanna because of the ember stone that Alanna wore round her neck, managed to send Faithful to where Alanna was, and to tell them to have hope and that they where trying to find a way to sent them back home again.
Meanwhile a frustrated Jon and company tried desperately to find a way to get them home.
In the end they tried the only option they knew. They went back to the book that had started all the trouble in the first place.
When the Goddess saw the book she unfortunately recognised it. It was called the Book of Chaos.
The Goddess Uusoae of Chaos, had made the book in her younger days, and it was full of powerful spells. That her servants had found out for her. The spells were the most powerful in all the realms. They were also the most dangerous.
Luckily the Goddess could read the ancient and faded writings and was able to find the counter spell. So being the Goddess she read it allowed and there appeared Numair, and an instant later Roald.
Numair immediately took charge of the shocked and pleased audience. Already there were some healers; who would wait for the arrival of Alanna, while some of the other healers made sure there were no pressing injuries that affected the others.
Thought Numair did not understand the full effect of the spell, he knew the principles of how they worked. So he expected, with some degree of certainty that Brin would arrive with Alanna, as Alanna was holding the injured Brin, so there was a connection between the two.
As per usual he was right.
Brin had been taken straight to Duke Baird. Alanna, Roald and Numair were also taken to the healers, so everyone could be sure they were all right. Then, after a thorough check of their health, they were permitted to back to there own chambers and get some well earned rest.
In the morning Alanna, Numair and Roald had found that they're Gift had returned. That was one less thing to worry about.
Then the questions had begun. Which were answered as best they could.
The Goddess did not return to the Mortal Realm, but returned to the Realm of the Gods, (taking the Book of Chas with her; so that mortals could not be tempted to use it again) where she would have some much needed rest, as transporting four mortals back into their world was very strenuous.
Brin missed all of this.
When she woke up, everyone came to see how she was. Brin soon became friends with them all, including the King and Queen. It was soon decided that Brin needed to be introduced to court.
So the news went out all over Tortall that a new maiden was to be introduced. Everyone was excited. Everyone (especially the other young girls) loved balls. That is to say everyone except Alanna and Raoul; who were ordered to attend.
Brin was very nervous. She had never been to a ball before, so she did not know what to wear. Although, she soon became accustomed to wearing breeches, shirts and tunics.
So to prepare for the ball, Alanna, Thayet and Daine helped her find the perfect dress. Which would look absolutely stunning on her.
Brin was not short of money as Jon and Thayet had given her generous amounts for helping Alanna get well, and for looking after Numair and their son Roald. She had tried to refuse, but as Thayet said she would soon need money. Reluctantly Brin had accepted. She was given enough, so she could spend large amounts and still had enough to do this for two years. Also all the money she had in her pocket was transferred in to Tortallan. And Brin had a large amount in her pocket, as she was going to go to the bank after breakfast, which she never did.
So they when shopping, for the upcoming ball. It was going to be fun. Brin thought. But how wrong she was.
Disclaimer: I own nothing! Not any of the characters, (except Brin and John Ross), Tortall etc, etc. So don't sue! Also anyone who has had any of the following experiences, I did not know! Honest! ^_^
Thanks: Well thank all you who sent in a review! Also thanks to Jae who help me get my idea out for this!
By earthfire
The Wrath of Chaos
Chapter 3
It had been two long days since Brin found out her three guests were from Tortall. Most of that time Brin had used to try and help Alanna recover from the flu. It had taken some time as Alanna still did not have her Gift, but she still had recovered quicker than most. Even though Alanna was very tired that did nothing to lighten her temper. Brin had been very busy, trying to take care of Alanna, and then Numair and Roald. She had to find them clothes, so they did not stick out so much. Their clothes were a lot different from what we usually wear. Fortunately Brin still had most of her fathers and brothers things so she had something for them to wear. It was a little awkward for Numair, as he was much taller than Brin's father, so the trousers she had found for him were a little too short. Alanna had briefly woken up at this point, so when she saw Numair in the trousers that came up to just above the ankle, she nearly fell off the sofa, because she was laughing so hard.
They all had an interesting experience. Brin's guests especially. Everything in this world was new to them. One evening Brin did not know what to cook for dinner. She was extremely tired so she just ordered a take out. Pizza. Numair, Roald and Alanna had never had pizza. They were fascinated. Alanna and Roald were not used to the messiness (is that even a word?) of pizza, so they made a terrible mess everywhere! Not just on themselves, but all over the table and most of the floor as well.
Over all it was an enjoyable time. Brin would be sorry to see them go, because do home they must. After all what would Tortall do with out the King's Champion, the crown prince to the throne and the greatest mage in Tortall?
It was these dismal thoughts that brought Brin outside. As she stepped out the door, she felt the cool, and refreshing wind on her face and neck. She loved being outside. She felt as if she could breathe more easily than in that stuffy house. She turned to look at the house one more time before she set off down the familiar driveway.
It was just coming up to sunset. Brin could see the last evening rays of the sun sink down below the horizon. It was a beautiful and enchanting evening. The clouds were still pink and gold from the departure of the sun. The air was fresh, but not cold. The sky was a rainbow of colours. Where the sun had just disappeared, it was a vibrant red colour, which turned to pink the higher you went up. Then it was a light purple that blended into the normal blue of the sky. It was getting darker by the minute, so Brin hurried along the path. As Brin gazed around her she saw all the sites, which she had grown up knowing. With a sigh, Brin turned round and started back. Everyone would wonder where she had gone.
As she neared her door, Brin saw something move by her door. Brin frowned. It was not big, but she had defiantly seen something. Suddenly Brin smiled and shook her head. What was she thinking? It was probably one of the neighbour's cats that had climbed over the low wall surrounding her house. She started towards the door again. When she got there, a cat was indeed sitting by her front door. Smiling Brin reached out to pick the cat up, to see if there was a collar that identified it with a name or an address as to where it belonged. As she picked up the cat and turned it towards her, she nearly dropped the poor creature. As Brin meet the eyes of the cat with her own she gave a small gasp. (Anyone knows what is going on?!! ^_^)
The cat had purple eyes! How is this possible? Brin thought to herself. Suddenly she had an idea. The cat had contact lenses on! Wait! Cats don't wear contacts! Then she had a more logical explanation. Hesitantly and quietly as she could (as she did not want anyone to hear her talking to a cat!).
"Are you by any chance Faithful?" Brin asked thoughtfully.
"Meow, you just happen to be right there." Faithful answered. "Are one of my friends with you? She should be with two of her friends, if I am not mistaken, and I am not usually. Meow"
Brin sighed heavily; this defiantly meant that they were going home.
"As a matter of fact, I am. I will ask how you are here, but that can wait. Lets go inside and find out where the others have got to."
As Brin opened the door with out making a sound, and when into the dinning room, where everyone was sitting. All of them turned their heads to look at her. As soon as Alanna caught sight of Faithful, she jumped to her feet and ran over to Brin and seized Faithful in her arms, squealing like she was five again. She was very happy to see Faithful again.
"Faithful! I can't believe it's you! I thought you were dead! What are you doing here?" Alanna said as calmly as she could, which worked out as a high-pitched voice.
"You should know that I couldn't die. As for your last question, I am here to tell you that Goddess and everyone at the palace is trying to bring you home." Faithful answered, as he started to wash himself.
Alanna yelled again and danced around the table happily. Then she remembered Brin and looked at her sadly.
"I wish you could come with us." Alanna whispered.
"She cannot. You know that very well Alanna. Her place is here. It is disaster that she knows about Tortall as it is!" Faithful grumbled, but did not stop trying to make himself clean. Alanna glared as him.
Brin tried to smile, but faltered. "I would love to come with you Alanna. It would be fun to meet everyone, but Faithful is right." Brin admitted, none to cheerfully.
Suddenly Numair smiled. "Well then. There is nothing we can do about this, for the time being. So lets enjoy our time together." Alanna smiled sadly. She would miss Brin when she would have to go; they had become as close as sisters. But as Numair said there is nothing I can do about it, Alanna thought to her self.
Brin when to the cupboards took out some glasses and some drinks, including milk for Faithful. She then sat down to enjoy the rest of the evening, with her newfound friends.
The next morning
It was coming up to 12:30am. Everyone (Alanna, Brin, Numair and Roald - I am tired of listing all their names) had just woken up. They had all gone to bed in the early hours of that morning after a long discussion, so they were all still tired and most of them were still a bit grumpy. Well Alanna was a bit grumpier than the rest of them; she was after all not a morning person.
They where in the kitchen, and were in the middle of healthy breakfast of pancakes with maple syrup. They all loved Brin's marvellous cooking expertise.
When suddenly there was a swift knock at the door. They all looked up. Brin sighed and sank down lower into her wooded chair. Seeing this Numair grinned at her and rose from his chair to see who was at the door.
When Numair opened the door, there was a pitiful man standing outside, he looked like he had drunk many bottles of vodka.
Numair peered down at the man. He did not like the look of the man, and would have shut the door in his face, but he was curious to what the man wanted.
The man outside looked at Numair with immediate dislike. What was this man doing in Brin's house?
"Good morning good sir. What can I do for you?" Numair replied politely.
"Yeah, there's something you can do for me. Get Brin out here now! I need to speak to her." Said the man glaring up at Numair.
What does this man want with Brin? Numair thought suspiciously. "May I ask who you are?" Numair said, trying not to lose his temper.
"Not that it's any business of yours. But I will tell you any way. I am John Ross, Brin's boyfriend!" John replied smugly.
"Wait just one moment." With that Numair closed the door in John's face.
Numair looked grim as he walked back into the kitchen. He could not help but have the feeling that all this would cause trouble.
Brin saw Numair's face and asked, "Is there any thing wrong?"
"There is a gentleman waiting outside for you." Numair spat out the word, he did not think Brin should socialise with people like that.
"What man?" Brin asked in confusion. She had not seen Numair upset like this.
"He said he was called John, and that he was your boyfriend." Numair said hesitantly.
"WHAT!!" Brin screamed. "He is NOT my boyfriend! He is my ex, I dumped him, when he started to drink!" With that Brin stormed outside and slammed the door.
Alanna looked uncomfortably at Numair and Roald. They could hear a lot of yelling and swearing. It seemed as if they were having a heated argument. After a few minutes of this there was a loud bang. They all instantly looked at the door. Which was where the sound came from; there was now silence. Then there was the sound of a car driving off.
"Maybe we should see how Brin is? You know, see if she's ok?" Alanna asked. Suddenly Faithful leaped up from the chair he was lazing on, and rushed to the door and started pawing at it. Alanna and Numair frowned.
"What is it Faithful?" Roald asked.
"Open the door! NOW!" Faithful yelled in their minds. Now Alanna was worried. She had never heard Faithful sound this urgent. Alanna rushed to the door and yanked it open.
There was the worst sight, she had seen in a long time. Brin was slumped against the side of the house, lying in a pool of was appeared to be her own blood. It was a mess. There was blood everywhere. On the ground, but most of it was on Brin. Her once white t-shirt was covered in blood. Alanna just stared in horror. Numair and Roald then pushed through the door, to see why Alanna had stopped dead. Now they knew why.
"NO, NO, NOOOO!" Alanna screamed. Then miraculously, she appeared to regain some control of herself. She yelled orders to Numair to get a cloth to stop the blood flow. Alanna quickly crouched down by Brin and held her head in her lap.
"I can't believe it. He shot me." Brin managed to whisper.
"Hush now" Alanna whispered back. Her voice was starting to break. Just then they heard Numair running back, but as he approached the door, he disappeared. Roald looked at Alanna in confusion, then he too vanished. Alanna started to sob, she only wished she had her Gift! She felt Brin's head go limp in her arms, and Alanna cried harder.
Suddenly she felt a lightheaded sensation. Then before she knew it she her vision blurred. When her vision refocused, she was in the Great Hall! There was Numair shouting orders to get a healer. There was George, Thom, Kally, Jon, Thayet, Raoul, Gary, Daine, Kel, Neal, and there was the Great Mother Goddess. She smiled at Alanna, before she vanished.
It was then that she realised the Brin was with her! Faithful was there too! He was pawing at Brin. Then his head came up, as though he was listening to somebody. Then he turned to Alanna, and her a quick Meow and went after the Goddess. Back to the Divine Realms, I guess.
Then she saw the healers running forward, to take care of Brin. Alanna's arms tightened around Brin, then relaxed as the healers took Brin out of her arms.
"She is going to be ok. She is in good hands now." She knew that voice! It was George! He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up, and followed the healers.
"Looks like you had some adventure." He whispered to her.
"That I did. That I did." She managed to whisper back before she fainted into his arms.
The next morning
Brin opened eyes, and gazed around her. She was in a white room, with empty beds around her. She had never seen this room before and did not know where she was. All she knew was that she had a throbbing pain in her side. Then all her memories came rushing back with such a force that she gasped. Brin could not remember exactly what had happened, it was still a bit blurry. But she did clearly remember John, and when he had shot her, just because she had refused to go back out with him! Men!
Brin tried to sit up, but then pain in her side (where the bullet had pierced her flesh) doubled. It was as painful as being stabbed with a thousand burning knives. This sudden pain caused her to cry out.
Then a man with green eyes came rushing in so see what was wrong. He frowned when he saw how much pain she was in. Then calmly said, "Now we can't have, this can we?" Then he gentle pressed his cool fingers to her side. His had flared green and the pain immediately vanished.
Brin looked at him, with gratitude in her eyes. He just smiled and said, "I suppose I should introduce myself. I am Duke Baird of Queenscove, chief of Tortall's healers."
Brin smiled back and replied, "Please to meet you, your Grace (Brin remembered the proper term for a Duke). My name's Brin."
"I am honoured to meet you Lady." He said charmingly.
"Please call me Brin. Everyone else does."
"Then I must insist that you call me Baird." He said, and gave a quick and graceful bow. Brin just giggled, she had never had anyone bow to her before!
When the door on Brin's right flew open and in charged a group of people.
Baird smiled again and looked down at her. "I thought I would take the opportunity to inform your friends that you were awake."
He was right. There was a distressed looking Alanna, a worried Numair and a cheerful looking Roald. There were also other people there who she did not know, but could guess the names to.
"Brin, I am so glad you are awake!" Alanna said running over to Brin's bad ant throwing her arms around her. " We were all really worried. You lost so much blood! We were not sure if you would make it." Brin smile at Alanna concern. Brin yawned and stretched her arms. This action caused more pain for Brin, and as pain shot down her side she cried out. Alanna was there. She put her hand on Brin's side and a purple haze surrounded her side. The pain was gone, and Brin felt that it wound not come back. Brin grinned at Alanna and said, "I see that you have your Gift back." Alanna smiled. "Yes, as soon as we got back and had some rest we had our Gifts back."
Numair stepped forwards and said, "Perhaps we should introduce the rest of our company?" With a nod from Alanna he carried on to introduce Daine, Kel, Neal, Cleon, Kally, Thayet and of course Jon. When Brin saw Jon, she knew what the books were talking about. Jo was he most handsome man she had ever seen.
Just then Baird interrupted her thoughts. "Well now that is over with, I think it would be best for Brin if you all left so she can have some more sleep." The Duke made it more of a command than a question. Reluctantly they all left. Obviously they all had some questions to ask.
Brin sighed and went down deeper into the blankets, and fell into a deep and comfortable sleep.
A few days later
Brin had fully recovered from her ordeal of crossing over to Tortall. She had slept all of the next day and part of the day after. She was literary exhausted.
Everyone had been busy while she slept. Alanna had felt that Brin should not have to go through hours of questions, as to what had actually happened. Numair, Alanna and Roald handled all the queries, of Jon, the other and a few of the mages who happened to know. Jon had done well; the whole thing was kept secret.
As well as filling in Jon and the others of what had happened while they were away, Jon told them of what had happened in Tortall after they disappeared, and how they managed to get them back.
Kally had been forgiven as; Jon could sense (with his Gift) that Kally had been used to read the book. So it was forgotten, and they took the anger out at the book.
They had locked it away and put the most powerful spells they knew. Which wasn't much with out Numair.
Then, when no one could find out where Alanna and the others had gone. Daine was asked to speak with her mother and father, who would then in turn speak to the Greater Gods on their behalf. The Great Mother Goddess and Mithros had agreed to do all they could. After all they could not lose one of the few Chosen of the Goddess.
So the Great Mother Goddess had come to the palace (in secret, after all what would the other mortals do if they saw the Goddess?), to see what could be done. The Goddess worked with a stunned King Jon and Daine and some of the other better mages, to find out how to bring back the three missing persons. None of them knew a sure way to bring them all back safe, even thought they knew where they were. After all there are some things handy about being a Goddess.
The Goddess; who had a link to Alanna because of the ember stone that Alanna wore round her neck, managed to send Faithful to where Alanna was, and to tell them to have hope and that they where trying to find a way to sent them back home again.
Meanwhile a frustrated Jon and company tried desperately to find a way to get them home.
In the end they tried the only option they knew. They went back to the book that had started all the trouble in the first place.
When the Goddess saw the book she unfortunately recognised it. It was called the Book of Chaos.
The Goddess Uusoae of Chaos, had made the book in her younger days, and it was full of powerful spells. That her servants had found out for her. The spells were the most powerful in all the realms. They were also the most dangerous.
Luckily the Goddess could read the ancient and faded writings and was able to find the counter spell. So being the Goddess she read it allowed and there appeared Numair, and an instant later Roald.
Numair immediately took charge of the shocked and pleased audience. Already there were some healers; who would wait for the arrival of Alanna, while some of the other healers made sure there were no pressing injuries that affected the others.
Thought Numair did not understand the full effect of the spell, he knew the principles of how they worked. So he expected, with some degree of certainty that Brin would arrive with Alanna, as Alanna was holding the injured Brin, so there was a connection between the two.
As per usual he was right.
Brin had been taken straight to Duke Baird. Alanna, Roald and Numair were also taken to the healers, so everyone could be sure they were all right. Then, after a thorough check of their health, they were permitted to back to there own chambers and get some well earned rest.
In the morning Alanna, Numair and Roald had found that they're Gift had returned. That was one less thing to worry about.
Then the questions had begun. Which were answered as best they could.
The Goddess did not return to the Mortal Realm, but returned to the Realm of the Gods, (taking the Book of Chas with her; so that mortals could not be tempted to use it again) where she would have some much needed rest, as transporting four mortals back into their world was very strenuous.
Brin missed all of this.
When she woke up, everyone came to see how she was. Brin soon became friends with them all, including the King and Queen. It was soon decided that Brin needed to be introduced to court.
So the news went out all over Tortall that a new maiden was to be introduced. Everyone was excited. Everyone (especially the other young girls) loved balls. That is to say everyone except Alanna and Raoul; who were ordered to attend.
Brin was very nervous. She had never been to a ball before, so she did not know what to wear. Although, she soon became accustomed to wearing breeches, shirts and tunics.
So to prepare for the ball, Alanna, Thayet and Daine helped her find the perfect dress. Which would look absolutely stunning on her.
Brin was not short of money as Jon and Thayet had given her generous amounts for helping Alanna get well, and for looking after Numair and their son Roald. She had tried to refuse, but as Thayet said she would soon need money. Reluctantly Brin had accepted. She was given enough, so she could spend large amounts and still had enough to do this for two years. Also all the money she had in her pocket was transferred in to Tortallan. And Brin had a large amount in her pocket, as she was going to go to the bank after breakfast, which she never did.
So they when shopping, for the upcoming ball. It was going to be fun. Brin thought. But how wrong she was.